CHANDIGARH, December 22: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today made it clear that people were being inducted into the Congress for the larger and greater interest of the party. He categorically made it clear that nobody had been promised any party ticket and allotting the tickets was the sole prerogative of the party President Ms Sonia Gandhi. Replying to a series of questions about some reported resistance by some local leaders against the joining of the people from other parties during a press conference here today, he said, the party workers and the leaders need not to get upset or feel insecure about their positions. “Anybody joining the Congress will obviously strengthen the party and once the party is strong the workers and leaders automatically get stronger”, he pointed out, while making it clear that all the inductions had been cleared by the party high command at the highest level.The PCC President said, while the allotment of the tickets was the prerogative of Ms Gandhi, the winnablity will be the sole criterion. “I don’t care whether someone belongs to group A,B,C or D as long as he or she is a winning candidate”, he asserted while adding, there was nothing unusual about being part of one small group or the other and what really matters is the winnablity. Asked about the introduction of Lokpal Bill in the Parliament, the PCC President maintained that Congress whether at the centre or in the state has always been for a strong Lokpal. He reiterated his commitment for a strong Lokpal in the state when Congress forms the government. “Unlike the present state of the Lokpal, we will bring a strong Lokpal and strong Vigilance Commission”, he said. About the possible campaigning by Anna Hazare in Punjab during elections, Capt Amarinder pointed out, Anna was spearheading a campaign against corruption and how can he support the corrupt Akali-BJP regime. He said, four BJP ministers were removed for corruption while fifth has been accused by his own department and the current government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal is the most corrupt government in the history of Punjab. “How can Anna support such a corrupt government as it will contradict his own movement against corruption?” he asked. The PCC President said, the party had already chalked out a long term programme of rallies and public meetings. While one was held yesterday at Dharamkote, it will be followed by political conference at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 27, at Faridkote on 28th and at Jallandhar on 29th.., . This will be followed by big rallies at Ludhiana on January 6, Jallandhar January 8, Amritsar on January 11 and Maghi conference at Muktsar on January 14. Among those present on the occasion included PCC vice presidents Mr Laal Singh, Chaudhary Jagjit, general secretary Arvind Khanna, senior leaders Jasbir Dimpa, Milkiat Dakha, Laly Jawandha, Tejinder Bittu, Major Amardeep, Karanpal Sekhon and others.
